Product description

In existence for over 50 years, the Polaroid Corporation's photography collection is the greatest collection of Polaroid images in the world. Begun by Polaroid founder Edwin Land and photographer Ansel Adams, the collection now includes images by hundreds of photographers throughout the world and contains important pieces by artists such as David Hockney, Helmut Newton, Jeanloup Sieff, and Robert Rauschenberg. "The Polaroid Book", a survey of this remarkable collection, pays tribute to a medium that defies the digital age and remains a favorite among artists for its quirky look and instantly gratifying, one-of-kind images.This title features: over 400 works from the Polaroid Collections; an essay by Polaroid's Barbara Hitchcock illuminating the beginnings and history of the collection; and, a technical reference section featuring the various types of Polaroid cameras.

Author information

Barbara Hitchcock is the director of cultural affairs for the Polaroid Corporation in Waltham, Massachusetts. She acquires fine art photographs for Polaroid and is responsible for managing its traveling exhibitions and multi-million dollar art collections. She has been the curator of several national exhibitions and currently serves on the Photography Collection Committee of Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge. California-native Steve Crist's TASCHEN titles include Andre de Dienes's Marilyn, William Claxton's Steve McQueen, and The Polaroid Book.

Customer reviews

There's many many polaroids contained within the pages. The layout is simple and attractive so that the focus is on the polaroids and your own interpretation of it. The title of the polaroids are all contained in a catalogue at the end of the book, adding the experience of enjoying a picture for what it is.

Art, i suppose, is left to one's own interpretation...I found some of the snaps beautiful, ethereal, haunting. Whereas there are one's I felt were just bad taste, and I could imagine many, many more snaps better than it.

I'd say coming across a truely beautiful picture in this book is pretty much a treasure hunt itself...there isn't many.